Residents asked to keep watch for koalas

The chairman of the Gold Coast City Council's sustainable city future committee says residents are being urged to report koala sightings.

Council has erected new signs in the Elanora area warning motorists to be careful of the marsupials.

Councillor Peter Young says koalas are in serious decline and protecting them is everybody's business.

"Across south-east Queensland there is no doubt the decline of koalas is dramatic," he said.

"We've really got to do whatever we can, especially in an urban area like the Gold Coast, to try to halt that downward movement of numbers and ensure we provide the best mechanisms to protect an animal that is highly regarded and widely regarded as one of Australia's icons."